Clearfield County- Two regional airports in the
25th Senatorial District will receive state grants to improve their operations,
according to Senator Joe Scarnati (R-Jefferson).

Scarnati said the
Bradford Regional Airport in McKean County and the Clearfield-Lawrence Airport
in Clearfield County were each awarded $37,500 state grants from the
Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. These funds will be used to
acquire airfield maintenance equipment at both airports.

“Smaller, regional airports are extremely important to jobs,
economic development and quality of life, particularly in rural areas,”
Scarnati said. “I’m pleased that these grants will provide needed
assistance to ensure that our airports continue to operate safely and help
contribute to the communities they serve.”

Scarnati explained that the
local facilities were among 19 regional airports across Pennsylvania to be
selected to receive this funding. The total aid distributed was $2.1
million, which leverages over $647,000 in local matching funds. Authorized
by the General Assembly, the grant program is administered through PennDOT’s
Aviation Development Program, which is funded from the state’s jet fuel taxes.

Air transportation across the
Commonwealth helps to support tourism, agriculture, emergency medical services
and public safety. Pennsylvania’s public-use airports support over
300,000 jobs, generate $9.2 billion in annual payroll and produce $23.6 billion
in annual economic activity.

“Providing
individuals with access to safe and reliable transportation across our state is
a core responsibility of state government,” Scarnati stated. “Our
airports and the aviation industry help to support and stimulate significant
economic activity within our communities. By making this investment in
local airports we are helping to further the creation of a strong
transportation infrastructure across Pennsylvania.”